Waste cooking fish, palm and sunflower oil based biodiesels: Production, engine performance and emission characteristics

Abstract

The aim of this study is to produce biodiesel from waste cooking oils such as fish, palm, and sunflower and to analyze the engine performance and emission properties of these biodiesels. For the biodiesel production the transesterification reaction was followed and methyl esters as well as distilled water were used at 1:1 ratio during the purification process and produced biodiesels were analyzed by GCMS. A total of 7, 5 and 4 types of fatty acids were observed in biodiesels which was derived from fish, palm and sunflower oil, respectively. The kinematic viscosity was observed under the ASTM specified value of all produced biodiesels. Engine tests revealed low carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides emissions in palm biodiesel as compared to biodiesels made from sunflower and fish oil. In conclusion, waste cooking oil-based biodiesel can be a suitable alternative fuel due to its fuel characteristics, favorable engine performance, and improved emission properties.